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Power Against the People: Stories of the affected communities in South Asian Countries

Power Against the People: Stories of the affected communities in South Asian Countries

The case stories titled Power Against the People: Case Stories in South Asia serve as an in-depth exploration of the adverse effects of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities, the environment, and the economy in five South Asian countries: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Through these stories, South Asia Just Transition Alliance (SAJTA) aims to highlight the unjust and often destructive impact of power generation and infrastructure projects financed by a mix of public, private, and international financial institutions.


The case stories are rooted in the belief that sustainable infrastructure development must prioritize the welfare of local communities and environmental preservation. They underscore how large-scale projects such as coal blocks, dams, LNG expansions, hydropower plants, thermal power plants, and energy transmission lines frequently overlook the rights and needs of local communities.


These communities often endure displacement, loss of livelihoods, and long-term health hazards resulting from environmental degradation. The case studies featured in this report illuminate the experiences of those who have suffered from poorly planned development, highlighting their ongoing struggles for justice, fair compensation, and recognition of their rights. The findings reveal the profound consequences faced by these communities, including discrimination, unemployment, economic instability, and heightened vulnerability to climate change. One of the book's central themes is the role of International Financial Institutions (IFI), including the bilateral and Multilateral Development Banks (MDB), bilateral aid organizations, and transnational banks, in financing such projects.


The stories critique the lack of accountability and transparency in how these entities fund and execute large-scale projects. Local communities,  10 Power Against the People, especially marginalized groups, often find themselves excluded from decision-making processes while their lands and resources are exploited for profit. The Power Against the People case stories document the stories of communities from diverse regions adversely impacted by these projects. These narratives provide compelling evidence of how large-scale power generation initiatives, under the guise of development, exacerbate inequalities and environmental destruction. The report calls for a paradigm shift in development practices, advocating for a just transition towards green, sustainable, people-centered and environmentally sound infrastructure.


SAJTA’s mission, to ensure that the people of South Asia can live in harmony with their environment through adopting sustainable practices, is at the heart of these case stories. The report is critical for policymakers, civil society organizations, and communities to advocate for more equitable and environmentally conscious development paths. It calls for accountability, highlighting the need for transparent, inclusive, and sustainable development practices that put the people and the planet first.

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